Oh goody, this year’s installment of “Best of the Capital
Region,” [July 17] as determined by the Metroland staff.
Another chance for that staff to embrace and champion the
high brow, the esoteric, the independents, the artsy-fartsy,
and the too-hip-to-be-called-trendy, all for the satisfaction
of illustrating what “cool” taste they have. Don’t get me
wrong: like your staff, I’m also a liberal with a few elitist
opinions about the region’s “best.” But unlike your staff,
I’m not averse to going to a Super Mall, shopping in the chain
stores, eating in the food court, catching a big budget flick
at Multiplex 118, driving home to the sound of a commercial
radio station playing “get the Led out,” and stopping on the
way for a McCoffee on ice. A night of such commercial slumming
would probably send the Metroland staff to the ballet the
following night just to cleanse themselves, whether they liked
ballet or not. Come down from Pretension Mountain, staffers.
You want to truly be “alternative”? Be liberal without the
elitism.

Mark
C. Daniels

Albany

Meanie
to Greenies?

To
the Editor:

Sen.
Joe Bruno’s announcement that he would not be running for
state Senate [“An American Tale,” July 3] was one of those
rare pieces of good news—if only Sheldon Silver had also decided
to retire as well. Maybe Bruno’s district gained financially
while he was in office, but our region, and New York state
on the whole, suffered, thanks to the anti-environmental policies
of Joe Bruno.

For
over 20 years, Smart Growth legislation had run up against
a brick wall in the state Senate. Legislation that has been
stalled in committee would have allowed state funding only
for projects planned for areas where infrastructure already
exists. This would have been problematic when it came to the
Luther Forest Technology Park, where AMD, Bruno’s pride and
joy, is slated to be built. It’s interesting to note that,
where land use policy is concerned, New York state does not
have mandatory local planning; local governments are not required
to have a written comprehensive plan nor zoning ordinance.
Sprawl and the urban decline that goes with it have gobbled
up millions of acres of farmland and resulted in increased
commuting miles for New Yorkers at a time when global warming
calls for the direct opposite. But, I suppose, that would
have been something only “greenies” (as Bruno likes to label
environmentalists) care about.

Since
Bruno was a developer himself, it would have made no sense
for him to vote for bills that would have hurt his bottom
line. He proved that when he voted against wetlands protection
in 2005. According to an article in the Sierra Atlantic
of the fall of that year by John Stouffer, First Grafton—a
real estate development project composed of Sen. Bruno, family
members, and a top Albany lobbyist—had a history of violating
federal wetlands law. Sen. Bruno’s company had been involved
in selling plots of land containing wetlands while simultaneously
working to kill the wetlands bill.

Lastly,
Sen. Bruno’s opposition to the Bigger Better Bottle Bill,
another pro-environment bill that he labeled “bad for business,”
has helped to keep a badly needed piece of legislation in
limbo. Despite the fact that 200 million tons of plastic from
drinking and other types of bottles go into our landfills
annually, back in 2005, Bruno’s aides were reported to have
said that the senator’s constituents were not that concerned
about the health of the environment, and, so, Bruno voted
nay to the BBBB.

Even though Bruno is leaving office, his name will live on
in the minds of area residents attending sports events, or
drinking spring water at the Sen. Joseph Bruno pavilion, thanking
him silently for making those things a reality. I, on the
other hand, will be remembering him for other things—arrogance
not being the least of them.

Barbara
Trypaluk

Saratoga
Springs

Oops
. . .

The
review of Doubt: A Parable [Theater, June 19] incorrectly
credited Adriane Lenox as the actress who portrayed Mrs. Muller.
In the Capital Repertory production, Mrs. Muller was played
by Kelly Taffe.

The address of Best Way-Late-Night Dining winner, Café 217,
[Best of the Capital Region 2008, July 17] was listed as 217
Delaware Ave. In fact, Café 217 is located at 12 1/2 Delaware
Ave. Go figure!

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